Official report from South Korean fire department or local authorities

Seongnam Building Fire: 270 Rescued, 70 Evacuated, No Fatalities Reported

Jan 3, 2025, 08:59 AM

A fire broke out in an eight-story commercial and residential building in Seongnam, South Korea, on Friday afternoon. The blaze started in a restaurant kitchen on the first floor of the BYC building in Bundang's Yatap-dong area. The fire escalated to a Level 2 response, prompting a significant firefighting effort involving over 100 firefighters and 82 vehicles. Approximately 270 people were rescued from the building, while about 70 managed to evacuate on their own. Reports indicate that 300 people were inside the building at the time of the fire, with 30 people trapped in the basement and subsequently rescued. The fire was brought under control within an hour, with no fatalities reported. However, around 27 people were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation, and the number of injuries reported varied, with some sources mentioning up to 130 people injured, mostly with minor injuries.